Campaigning is done; its time to vote

The lawns signs remain, but the election handouts have ended as the candidates in this off-year election hope their campaigns have inspired people to vote for them.

Polls across the state and the north country open at 6 a.m. today and will remain open until 9 p.m., with hundreds of local offices on the line.

The most interesting race has been for St. Lawrence County district attorney, with incumbent Democrat Nicole M. Duve struggling to defend her record against the campaign onslaught of Republican challenger Mary E. Rain. The only other countywide race in the region has three people seeking two coroner spots in St. Lawrence County.

Regionally, three candidates are seeking two Supreme Court judgeships in St. Lawrence County, but because Jefferson and Lewis counties are in a different judicial district, voters there will have two candidates for two seats.

In Lewis County, a Legislature that has seen its share of controversy in recent weeks as it has struggled to decide how to meet office-space needs for its departments will see many new faces after today, with a minimum of six new members who will be chosen.

In Jefferson County, voters will elect a new District 10 legislator, as two candidates seek the position of outgoing Legislator Michael W. Behling. And District 6 Democratic Legislator Michael F. Astafan is challenged by Republican Jonathan L. Hirschey.